Bhubaneswar civic body plans cell to tackle complaints of dog attacks

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to set up a dog complaint cell as cases of strays attacking people have gone up recently.
BMC deputy commissioner (animal birth control) Ramesh Jena said a toll free number will be given to the people so that they can call if they are attacked by stray dogs. The cell will work initially till evening. The working hours will increase with volume of work and the nature of complaints. It may be made functional round-the-clock. The cell’s mandate will be to address crisis at a given point of time and not to receive routine grievances.”
The cell will also receive complaints of dogs showing any unusual behaviour or if they have any diseases. This unit will be separate from the one that deals with animal birth control and sterilisation of dogs.
Explaining the cell’s modus operandi, Jena said, “A dedicated team will be on alert to send help in case a complainant needs help. These expert handlers will rush to the place where the dogs are causing problems. The handlers will bring them to the kennel and displace them. People shouldn’t expect that we will permanently shift the troublemaking dogs to other places since it is against the rule. Dogs suffering from rabies will be in quarantine in the kennel for treatment and they won’t be released as there is a risk involved.”
According to the Capital Hospital here, the city records about 180 dog bites cases on an average daily. Two years ago, the number was below 40. Residents here have often complained that stray dogs are causing a menace in the streets, especially after the 2023 FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup got over earlier this year. The areas, which were free of stray dog menace, are now witnessing pack of dogs chasing people, cars and motorcycles. Frightened residents often run for cover and that too late at night.